Gas, Power and Derivatives Intern Review

Everybody from the most junior to the most senior was exceptionally nice and really took a keen interest in what I had done in the past and what my career prospects were. There was nobody that I couldn't go to to seek advice or ask for assistance.

I felt like I was an normal employee of the company. I was not simply just making tea or photocopying, right from the first day I was doing tasks normally completed by people much senior than myself. Although this was a steep learning curve, it provided me with an excellent opportunity to not only get a feel for the business, but to realise what standards are expected of full time employees.

My managers sat down with me most mornings to explain thoroughly what my tasks were for that day. If I was ever having trouble with something, they always found time in their busy working day to come over and offer some assistance. But at the same they weren't willing to simply hand everything to me on a plate, which looking back was one of the things I valued most about my internship as it helped improve my problem solving skills.

There was rarely a spare hour where I wasn't doing a particular task. If I ever did have any spare time during working hours I would normally work on my internship presentation which was due in at the end of my placement.

This was by far and away the part of my internship that I enjoyed the most. Right from the first day I was sending emails to people in the US and Singapore in order to compile monthly progress reports. I was also given the opportunity to give presentations on various complex products and was taken out on client lunches. This level of responsibility really made me feel valued within the company and made my time at Gazprom really interesting and exciting.

The skills that I developed will certainly stay with me for the rest of my life. I learnt how to deal with clients and vital presenting skills. I also realised the importance of such things as microsoft excel within the workplace.

Being on the trading floor meant that there was very rarely a dull moment! I also got to be apart of the five a-side football team and regularly went for drinks with people on my floor after work.

Being given a great deal of responsibility, and being taught the basics of the business whilst being valued by everyone made from an excellent 9 weeks. There was also a opportunity for all of the interns to get to know each other and work together towards a project.

I was giving excel training by one of my managers which was absolutely vital to everything that I was doing. All of the interns were also invited along to numerous 'lunch & learn' sessions in which speakers from outside of Gazprom came to give talks on certain energy issues.

Having been successful with my 9 week internship I have been fast tracked to an assessment center for the graduate scheme.

The social scene was another fantastic part of my internship. Every Friday after work all of the interns, grads and full time employees would go for drinks. I was also taken out for lunch numerous times by members of my team and also had a chance to socialise with the other interns.

I was lucky enough that I was living in a student flat right next to work. Although it was a flat in central london, it wasn't too expensive.

The office was right next to regents park and so was a fantastic location. Tottenham Court Road was within walking distance, as was Camden. You could also get to Clapham with 25-30 minutes.

I played five-a side football, but also had the opportunity to play tag rugby in regents parks.